The 2014 Leicester Road Running League got underway this week with the first race of the winter season – The Kibworth 6. Set over an undulating rural course this is one of the toughest races of Ivanhoe Runner’s league calendar with one or two particularly challenging hills. Despite the absence of several regular team members Ivanhoe were able to filed full men and ladies teams – with the veteran runners filling many of the scoring places. First home for the club finishing in a fine 72nd place overall was Richard Martin (38:41) ahead of 2013 Club Member of the year Martin Yeomans with another great Captain’s performance finishing in 40:30 (109th). Nick Rowles and Dave Morse had a great battle next, with Nick just edging home in front in 41:25 (135th) in his debut 6 mile event to Dave’s 41:35 (144th). 2013 Men’s team player Kev Wright continued his great run of form finishing next, 163rd in 42:20 ahead of Andy Jeyes, 201st in 43:57. Karen Bell made a very welcome return to racing finishing fastest Ivanhoe lady in 45:02 next (224th). Andy Lindley ran despite a calf injury and did well to come home in 252nd (46:09) with Bec Enion just behind in 255th (46:19). Club Chairman Kev Sanders mistook the race for a handicap event: by miss-timing his pre-race preparation he arrived at the start line 2 minutes after everyone else had left! This spurred him on to a great run as he passed hundreds of runners to finish in a great time of 48:10 but with s finish position of 335 due to his slow start. New Ladies Captain Laura Graves had a storming run to set a personal best, rarely achieved on this tough course, 307th in 48:20 just ahead of Victoria Smith who is also on great form finishing 325th in 49:07. Karl Savill was another welcomed returner to the team finishing strongly in 54:15 (388th) just ahead of Heather Swan who had a great run to come home over a minute faster than last year (54:38, 398th). Allie Sturla enjoyed her race and ran close to her personal best in an excellent 55:06 (402nd) with Seran Bradley not far behind in 55:35 (405th) a great 6 mile debut for her. Finally three brave Ivanhoe runners ran the course not once but twice as part of marathon training: Kelly Finney finishing in 60:34 (453rd), Esther Barsby 456th in 60:41 and Angela Wheeler, 459th in 61:25. Well done to all the team.